Fall prevention device for an elevator

Abstract

A fall prevention device includes a shaft extending vertically through a multi-story building. A door is provided on each floor of the multi-story building. A cab is movably mounted in the shaft and includes a cab door. A movement device includes a power mechanism and first and second grid structures directly or indirectly connected to the power mechanism. The first and second grid structures are respectively fixed to top and bottom sides of the cab at locations adjacent to the cab door. Each of the first and second grid structure includes a plurality of rails spaced from each other in a width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The movement device further includes a first support device in a top end of the shaft and a second support device in a bottom end of the shaft. The first and second support devices respectively support the first and second grid structures.

1 . A fall prevention device for an elevator comprising:
 a shaft adapted to extend vertically through a multi-story building in a vertical direction, with the multi-story building including a plurality of floors, with a door adapted to be provided on each of the plurality of floors;   a cab movably mounted in the shaft and including a cab door; and   a movement device including a power mechanism and first and second grid structures directly or indirectly connected to the power mechanism, with the first grid structure having a first end fixed to a top side of the cab at a location adjacent to the cab door, with the second grid structure having a first end fixed to a bottom side of the cab at a location adjacent to the cab door, with each of the first and second grid structure and including a plurality of rails spaced from each other in a width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, with the movement device further including a first support device in a top end of the shaft and a second support device in a bottom end of the shaft, with the first and second support devices respectively supporting the first and second grid structures.   
     
     
         2 . The fall prevention device for an elevator as claimed in  claim 1 , with each of the first and second grid structures having a second end, with the second end of the first grid structure integrally connected with the second end of the second grid structure, with the power mechanism being an elevating mechanism for moving the cab in the shaft in the vertical direction, with movement of the cab in the vertical direction causing reciprocal movement of the first and second grid structures in an annular path. 
     
     
         3 . The fall prevention device for an elevator as claimed in  claim 1 , with the power mechanism including an upper reel rotatably mounted in the upper end of the shaft and a lower reel rotatably mounted in the lower end of the shaft, with the first grid structure having a second end fixed to the upper reel, with the second grid structure having a second end fixed to the lower reel, with the upper reel including a spool forming the first support device, with the lower reel including a spool forming the second support device. 
     
     
         4 . The fall prevention device for an elevator as claimed in  claim 2 , with the first support device including a plurality of first guiding rollers arranged in the width direction, with the first support device further including a plurality of second guiding rollers respectively aligned with the plurality of first guiding rollers. 
     
     
         5 . The fall prevention device for an elevator as claimed in  claim 4 , with the second support device including a plurality of third guiding rollers arranged in the width direction, with the second support device further including a plurality of fourth guiding rollers respectively aligned with the plurality of third guiding rollers. 
     
     
         6 . The fall prevention device for an elevator as claimed in  claim 1 , with each of the plurality of rails of the first and second grid structures being formed by a metal cable, a cloth rope, a belt, or a chain.